Ukraine’s Agricultural and Rural Development: Transformation of Strategic Planning within the Processes of European Integration

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to understand the conditions and problems within the development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector, qualitative transformations, and peculiarities of strategic planning of this sector and rural areas in the context of Ukraine’s European integration, wartime challenges, and post-war recovery. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study utilizes a retrospective analysis of Ukrainian legislation and strategic planning documents for agricultural sector. Through legal and hermeneutic analysis, the research examines the evolution of state policy, which initially focused on pure agricultural development before expanding to encompass the broader agri-food sector and rural development. Data sources include official statistics and reports from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, and the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. These resources provide insights into the structural changes and resource allocation in the sector. Additionally, the paper employs a systematic and comparative approach to assess the challenges and prospects of Ukraine’s European integration in agriculture and rural development. This involves analyzing the principles and regulations of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its potential alignment with Ukraine’s national policy frameworks, focusing on adapting EU standards and directives to Ukraine’s agricultural context. Findings: The analysis reveals that, despite Ukrainian agribusiness holding a significant position in global food markets, the development of Ukraine’s agro-industrial complex and rural areas lags behind many countries. This lag is evident in low production competitiveness, outdated technologies, limited investment, and a high dependence on state funding. Additionally, rural development faces specific challenges, including declining human capital, governance limitations, and underutilized community resources. Positive progress has been noted in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as the study highlights increased consumption of key food items - such as meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits - among the population. This shift suggests a gradual transition toward a healthier diet, aligning with broader health and nutritional goals. In terms of European integration, the findings suggest that Ukraine's alignment with the EU’s updated Common Agricultural Policy could strengthen its European integration efforts. By adopting EU standards, Ukraine may enhance the agricultural sector's efficiency, support sustainable rural development, and foster long-term resilience in the post-war period. This alignment is expected to facilitate the sector's recovery and contribute to achieving food security by incorporating EU practices in sustainable land use, biodiversity, and rural socio-economic stability. Practical Implications: The paper provides insights for policymakers to address the sector's development in the context of European integration, facilitating post-war recovery and contributing to food security. The implementation of European standards could improve agricultural practices and rural development in Ukraine. Originality/Value: This study examines the agricultural sector's strategic planning amidst the challenges posed by war and integration into European frameworks, contributing to discussions on sustainable rural development and sectoral alignment with European policies.